Fresh from having their hair cut by former Gunner Fabrice Muamba, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs both started for England’s Under 21’s as they took on hosts Sweden in the Semi-Finals of the UEFA European Under 21 Championships.
The two youngsters have had mixed times during this tournament, with Gibbs being lauded as one of England’s better players, while struggling Walcott has been slammed for his poor performances. However, both knew if they could help the Three Lions to victory this evening they would be on the verge of claiming the first piece of silverware of there exciting careers.
The bookies fancied Stuart Pearce’s men right from the off, and within 60 seconds they proved they had warranted being such strong favourites by snatching the lead. Dreadful marking, or should I say lack of, allowed the ball to find its way to Martin Cranie who lashed a bouncing effort beyond John Bahlin in the hosts goal. Gabriel Agbonlahor appeared to get a touch as the ball made it’s way into the net but UEFA officially confirmed the strike as Cranie’s.
In open play the game was very even. The visiting back four were composed and were not really tested in the opening 15 minutes. Gibbs looked very relaxed and pinged a few superb crosses around in what proved to be a tenacious opening period. Walcott – who was operating on the left – struggled to really get into the game but did have the opportunity to stretch his legs after a long ball forward by his club mate Kieran, yet the offside flag brought a premature end to the move.
Set pieces had Sweden on the rack and on 27 minutes another one was won, and another goal would come. Nedum Onuoha held off two defenders to turn sharply before smashing home after Sweden failed to clear from 4 yards out. It was the effort which crucially doubled the score and looked like killing the game. If it didn’t, what happened 10 minutes later did.
They finally managed to head away an England corner but they could do nothing about Walcott’s cross after the ball landed at his feet. The Arsenal man lofted it back where it came from and after a deflection, Mattias Bjarsmyr turned it into his own net. It was another shocking defensive error just before half time.
The second half saw changes from Sweden but in truth the game was well and truly over. Kieran Gibbs took aim at goal as he tried to complete the set of England defenders scoring in this Tournament, but he blazed over.
Walcott then exploded into life. He burst inside with pace and power, skipping beyond two challenges and then racing into the box. A shot seemed like the most natural thing but he continued to twist and turn and was eventually crowded out. It would be England’s last real chance for a while as Sweden stepped things up.
The crowd was bouncing but they had nothing to cheer about. That was until the 68th minute when Mollins skinned Gibbs before crossing for Marcus Berg to clip home. It lifted the lid off the stadium yet the noise level rose even further when Ola Tiovonen inspired real hope with a curling free-kick from 25 yards out.
More pressure continued and Pearce’s boys were getting shaky – you almost sensed yet dare not believe that Sweden could level. But on 81 minutes they did it. An unbelievable goal not only in significance but in quality. Molins’ curling ball was flicked back by Tiovonen for Berg to lash home on the volley. A stunning effort that took the game to extra time.
It was edgy and nervous but Sweden – who were playing without fear – looked the most comfortable. The had chances to nick the lead but fatigue was affecting both sides. The game then took a massive swing as Frazier Campbell was sent off for a second booking after a stupid rash challenge. It meant England could be in the final with just Theo Walcott as a recognised striker.
It could and should have been all over when Berg smashed a stinging effort off the bar. The Three Lions had been tamed, and penalties loomed.
Penalties.
James Milner came up first, and slipped. Missing. Marcus Berg then came strolling up but the trailing leg from Joe Hart denied the striker. Hart then surprisingly took the next spot kick, and smashed home, sending Dahlin the wrong way. Rasmus Elm then beat Hart making it 1-1. Cattermole put England back ahead before Bjarsmyr again levelled. Adam Johnson slid home yet before Lustvik took his Hart was booked. It didn’t matter, he scored, 3-3. Walcott made it 4-3 but Bengtsson coolly made it 4-4. Gibbs strolled up and placed home for 5-4 before Molins missed. England make the final – the hard way.
England didn’t play well but they got their noses in front when it mattered, and despite a second half collapse, they held firm. Walcott and Gibbs both had decent moments and poor moments but will take heart from converting their penalties.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I´ll take Markus Berg ove Adebayor everyd day of the week, he reallt knowes where the goal is, too bad he probably is out of our pricerange after this championship. Good luck in the final!
//Swedish Gooner
damn thats quick !
Haha, thanks :)
Great running commentary- had me on the edge of my seat, surely Walcott will score a few in the final with a proper chance to prove his quality. Germany to beat the Italians?
Showed bottle for the pen but really struggles to make any real impact. I like Theo but don’t think he’ll live up to expectations.
it’s about time the blinkers came off lads. walcott is the worst player out there, overrated and we should sell him. he will never deliver
If the England U21’s had gone out on penaltys especially after going 3-0 up against the Swedish U21’s team then the FA should of sacked Stuart Pearce imeadiately IMO.
Walcott was feeble and Wenger seriously need to consider playing in a different position during pre season,Gibbs did ok,seriously cool penalty.
That Marcus Berg is a serious killer,Wenger should be looking at him.He is very mobile and an incredible talent for being at the right place at the right time.
Walcott may be overrated, I’ve agreed with that for a long time, but he is still an asset. The fact is, he does not have the footballing talent to pull a team to success by himself. He needs top-quality technical, creative players around him – something he doesn’t have in the U21s. However, his directness, and of course his pace, means that when given the right opportunity in a match, he can cause a lot of damage. For me though, his position is on the bench, coming off when the opposition tire. He is aweful defensively and does not track back, which is why Sagna has had a more difficult season this time around (Hleb was very capable of helping out). He drifts in and out of games, and his predictable style of dribbling and running makes him easy to mark. He can, though, produce that moment of magic late on in games which makes all the difference. He is a gamble of a player, and an asset worth keeping hold of, but I don’t think he’ll ever nail down a consistent starting place, and will probably be off within 4 years, due to wanting one.
Although that marcus berg did well during the tournement doesnt mean he will be good in the prem league. same sort of reason liverpool signed baros remember, dint quite work out. anyone know what marcus is like for his club team?
Berg has scored 17 goals this season while playing for a weaker team like Fc Groningen.
In Season 07/08 too, he had scored 16 goals.
So his case is not like Marco Ritgers who had a poor scoring record for his clubs but ended up the top scorer in last U21 championships.
Ajax are said be considering a serious bid for Marcus berg in the region of 10 million pounds.
gunner2018, he plays for FC Groningen in Holland. He’s got a great scoring rate there, and scored 13 in 15 last season. But i agree with you, it’s impossible to be sure. Particularly at under 21 level, where so many who impress there can’t step up a level to regular top-level football. Same applies for Dutch league. Players like Mateja Kezman spring to mind.
Great work as always. But still… as a Swede I have to complain on your English nonchalance. Please spell the names right. It’s Johan Dahlin for the keeper and Toivonen instead of Tiovonen. These are well known players in their leagues, Dahlin in Norway and Toivonen in PSV Eindhoven. Also, it was a flick from stunning teenager Robin Soder back to Bergs last goal.
Otherwise… great work. Sorry for the bad English. Took a few beers during the game. : )
Berg looked class, but he may not handle the pace of the premiership
Berg scores for fun in his club team Groningen. But I don´t think he is something for Arsenal. Not at that level (yet). The best player in sweden is by far Rasmus Elm. That kid has got a great future. I´ve heard he´s close to signing for Bayern though.
Anyone wondering if Walcott will ever become a “footballer”? If you haven’t got “it” at 15 like say, Ravel Morrison you [probably never will.
Walcott did that brilliant run when he beat 5 defenders and he should have shot. Would heva been a good goal. But you can tell from that run the guys a striker he can left or right when he plays through the middle using his pace. He does remind me of a young owen. Theo just needs to be more aware of people around him but at arsenal hes more suited to the short passing game whereas england under 21s always look for him with long balls or him trying to take on a full back
Nice to know some people are as fickle as ever, Theo is still young and will only get better.
Berg looks top quality, i think he could be a real find.
Joe Hart also impressed me, if City dont want him we should cheekily use him as part of a deal with Toure.
Also Adam Johnson (one of Englands best players) will be able to run at Germany.
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I cant agree with the people on here who are slating Theo, he is great for Arsenal because we play the ball on the ground for him to utalise his pace. The National team seem to like to hump the ball in the air, which enables defenders to get back in by the time he takes a touch to get the ball under control – play the ball infront of Theo with room to move into and he is top class and will cause teams problems all day.
Ask any Liverpool player – remember the Champions league game when he skinned 4 players to creat a goal? Well bad players dont do that.
Walcott?
absolute shit!
shit-hot* I mean, thats a good thing. Damn this keyboard!
Walcott can only get better, have a little more faith. People forget he’s only 20 and all he is handling now is the pressure.
I just don’t believe it, the crap against Theo is stupid to say the least. Comments against the lad must be coming from school children. Ask the boss a striker does not really come into his own until he reaches 22/23. For goodness sake get off his back; comments like in four years he will be off will only be true if really big money comes in and we are broke; and that will never happens as long as my bum points towards the ground. If the ball is played where the lad can run on to it, then he is fast becoming the best we have had in England for a long time. He still has much to learn, but he will IMO become an arsenal legend.
Hi guys. Anyone know whether we’re going to have a new Home kit for 09/10 ?
rosicknote were not having a new home kit as unlike most other teams arsenal usually have there home kit for two seasons and away for one
Joe Hart an Arsenal fan he comes to the emirates hes a season ticket holder. I think England have finally got a goalie whos good at penalty saving. Joe hart just needs to get better on crosses and corners
is it me or Gibbs really was the worst player on the pitch including both sides…cranie on the right hand side had nothing to do while gibbs constantly broke under pressure
I wholeheartedly agree with Micky C and MrParker. He is still young, and young players cannot perform consistently well every week, hence why some weeks Arsenal can beat Man Utd and then lose to Stoke the next! He has shown enough good stuff to show he can be a top draw player for Arsenal in the future. Don’t forget that this was his first season starting regularly for the first team and national team and he aint done too bad! Croatia springs to mind…
These young men are performing very well on the world stage. That’s how legends are made. Pele scored goals in the world cup semifinals. Pele was 18. Great stuff. Thanks for reading Bobby Gee
http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
only 20mil for arsenal purchase this season
http://www.mydexmarketplace.wordpress.com
im my opinion….walcott should play left wing and cut in with pace like ribery does..
for example..his assist for england wen he come on as a sub against spain.
i hate seeing him play right wing..
Old Timer – The majority of them are school children i believe. But don’t be fooled. Oh no, that will be a huge mistake, as they are also professionals when it comes to youth academies and youth in general. Especially judging player potential and which players are gonna be world beaters in years to come. Especially a couple of them. They must be pro scouts or some shit.
who is this bobby gee he leaves the most random messages.